Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-01-13
MODERN CIVILIZATION.
Human Beings Living on Oats and
Sleeping on Straw.

IL HENRY APPLEION IN MA1fLON Els
New YORK, Dec. 14.-It happened
that not long ago my business led me
through the classic precincts Of Null
berry street, one Of the arms of that
peculiar civilization which is summed
up in every great city. Years ago, |
remember, when Tony Pastor first
spread his wings as popular warbler,
he used to preface some of his ditties
by the remark that he had only been
induced to sing them at the urgent re-
quest of some of the first families Of
Mulberry street.
While picking my way through the
groups of ragged, motiveless, poverty
besotted creatures, who for want of a
better name are still called human be-
ings, my attention was arrested by a
large sign ahead on which was writ
ten, "Hay, Straw and Oats" This
otherwise not unusual sign seemed
strange on this street, where there ap-
peared no detached carts, or any indi-
cations that there were stalls in the
neighborhood. The TACT is that in
this vicinity civilization is at so low
an ebb that any place where beast of
burden will lie down is already mon
opolzed by men, women and children
who are more profitable dodgers.
Horses find quarters in more advanc-
ed localities, where human beings do
not covet the places reserved for them.
In the front of this store were a
number of bales of clean straw, of
kind not usually used for bedding
horses, and within its dingy walls
were numerous barrels and boxes. My
attention was soon attracted by a
wretched man coming out of the door
with q bundle of straw under lis arm,
who was followed by another with
dirty bag in his hand, apparently fill
ed with corn or grain. Pretty soon
a man who appeared to be a helper in
the store came to the door, and l made
bold to ask him, as politely as | could,
what these people did with the bun
dies of straw and the bags of grain.
What do you suppose ?" was the
bluff reply. eyer little fresh, boss."n
assured the man that,as strang
er in New York, l had only asked out
of curiosity, and hoped he would ex-
cuse me. I soon gained his confidence
and went away with some points on
latter-day civilization of very sug-
gestive character to the student of
ethical culture" +"
This clerk of the grain store in
formed me that cellars and Easements
constituted the lodging places of q
considerable portion of the inhabitants
of Mulberry street The enterpris-
ing landlord provides a stove in the
middle of the floor, upon which is
kettle of water. On the sides of the
den hunks are built up to the ceiling.
The lodger provides his own bedding,
which consists of an armful of straw,
purchased at the feed store for five
cents, and which. may do service for
an indefinite time With the lodging
is included the kitchen privileges.
These consist of the use of the hot
water, which is supplied by faucet
in the kettle, and the right to warm
or cook whateyer fodder the lodger
may chance to have on top of the
stove. The fodder is usually oatmeal
or cornmeal, which he has purchased
at the feed store, added to such swill
as he may beg or steal through the
day. The bill for lodging and Gull
nary privileges is something like %
cents a week, and when it is consider
ed that twenty or thirty, often of both
sexes, are packed into these holes, the
business Of the hotel keeper becomes
quite lucrative one.
And yet this great New York a
bounds in schools and churches, char
liable institutions and art galleries
galore